Poznan and The Tour in Poland

Dundee were based just outside Poznan for Pre-Season build up for the new season. So my wife Carmie and our two boys Andrew and Alexander decided to go across for 6 nights and make it a holiday.

We were lucky enough to fly out on the Monday with the Dundee FC staff and Players on the same flight. A few other Dundee fans were onboard as well. The flight was quick and we arrived on time.

We booked a apartment for the six nights which was close to supermarkets ect, so breakfast was easy. On Tueday we went round Poznan old town and seen various museums. Had a few beers in the centre with other Dundee fans. We also went to the see the goats come out at 12 but they were broken. They played a old song ect in which they do when this happens.

On Wednesday day was more going round the centre and later the boys and myself met up with others Dundee Fans to plans out trip out to Stadion MKS Promień Opalenica where the game would be played against FC Baník Ostrava with a 6pm kick-off. 

Instead of getting the train we all shared Uber Taxis which took about 40 minutes and we all arrived just before 5pm and we had a few beers in the lovely hotel. 

FC Banik Ostrava 0, Dundee 3, Stadion MKS Promień Opalenica, 3rd July 2024

It was the usual pre-season game with Dundee started brightly an Seb Palmer-Houlden and shot past the post. FC Baník Ostrava looked a strong side and they got a goal ruled out for offside. 

Dundee kept going and Tiffoney and Palmer-Houlden had shots blocked.  The best chance of the half came right on half-time and it came from Banik, the ball was thrown into the box and their striker had a free header which he knocked past the post. 

Eight minutes into the second half, Dundee opened the scoring through Luke Graham, the ball came out to McCowan who crossed the ball into the box and found Graham who headed the ball past the keeper.

Dundee continued to attack through Palmer-Houlden who had two chances. Substitute Jamie Richardson came close after Max Anderson drove forward. Richardson got his goal when he followed in off a shot and knocked the ball into the back of the net. 

Three minutes later Dundee had a third through Fin Robertson who took the ball around the keeper and smashed it into the back of the net.

It was a strong performance for The Dee tonight in our second pre-season match against a good Banik Ostrava side. 

Dundee: McCracken (Sharp), Astley, McGhee (Kerr), Tiffoney (Robertson), Camero(Anderson), Mulligan (Corrigan),  16 – Trialist (Reilly), McCowan (C) (Richardson), Palmer-Houlden (Rudden), Graham (Lochhead), Sylla (Trialist), Unused Subs:  Legzdins

Dusan with Me and My Boys 

It was great to meet with ExDundee player Dusan Vrto who came to meet all the Dundee fans at the game, Great memories and stories were shared after the game Dundee Manager Tony Docherty came and met the Dundee fans in the bar and we all ended up in 3 Mini buses back to Poznan great effort for 50 zloty each. 

On Thursday we went out to the Lech Poznan's ground, it was about 20 minutes out from the centre so it was easy to get to, We booked a guided tour and was great to go round and see inside the ground. The history of the club and we enjoyed it. Got some great photos and it was a nice sunny day as well. After that we spend time in the centre food and went to a American Diner based on the 1950's.

On the Friday we done the Castle, Polish History done by Lego and we spend time with the boys at the play area for a hour. Then we went for some local Polish food at a busy outside cafe.

On Saturday we again met up and we got the train at 12:10 train to Wronki it was a 30-40 minute journey on a high speed train busy train. We got to the ground after a 30 minute walk with the help from some Lech Poznan Fans. It was a hot day and after we got into the ground we were dee-lighted to have some cold beer and burgers. 

Lech Poznań 1, Dundee 1, Stadion Akademii, Wronki, 6th July 2024

Lech started the match brightly forcing two corners in the first five minutes. Sousa then had a shot outside the box but McCracken tipped it over the bar.

They looked a strong side and were a good test for Dundee. Lech Poznan scored on 28 minutes when     Ishak smashed the ball home. They could have scored another two before half time. Curtis Main put a header just wide of the post in a rare Dundee attack.

At half-time, Lech Poznaǹ changed their full team for the second half. It was The Dee who started the second half the brightest, Palmer-Holden played in McCowan who had a shot but the keeper pushed it away. 

Substitute Sylla had a shot blocked  with the ball going out for a corner, McGhee then attempted an over-head kick from the corner but Lech cleared. Palmer-Holden came very close when McCowan played him in, but his shot was saved. 

But a minute later The Dee were level through Seb Palmer-Holden who won the ball off the defender and smashed the ball into the bottom left-hand corner of the net. 

With  minutes to go Charlie Reilly nearly found the net as he curled a shot from the left-hand side but the keeper got a hand to the ball.

Dundee done well to get a draw and it was good to finish strongly again a good team.

Dundee: McCracken,  Astley,  McGhee (Reilly), Main (Tiffoney), Cameron (Sylla), Ingram (Kerr),  McCowan (Anderson), Robertson (Trialist), Palmer-Houlden (Rudden), Portales (Graham). Unused Subs: Legzdins, Sharp, Lochead, Mulligan, Corrigan, Richardson, 

After the game it was a few beers at a local bar then back to Poznan for a few more, a good night was had with fellow dees and l got home just before 12pm.

Next day it was home time and we had to leave the apartment and we made our way back to the Airport in a Uber Taxis the way to go. We had a few hours to wait so had food and we seen the Dundee FC squad again. Carmie got Cammy Kerr's autograph for our sister in law Jo.

It was a quick flight and Jo came and gave us a lift home getting home just before 3am. Tired but we had a great time and the only other time l have been to Poland was in 2006.